The Witness of the Cross

Some of us try to convey our faith with words. Words, especially The Word, can be effective, in transforming hearts and minds.

“Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

We can also witness to our faith with our lives. Our priests and deacons sometimes send us forth from Mass with these words: “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”

If we live what we believe, our relationship with God radiates from us, inviting others to live the same faith.

But the most powerful witness is the cross.

“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

Jesus invites all of us to share in His cross as a means to our salvation. But some, it seems, have an especially difficult cross to bear. Our faith shows us that these extraordinary crosses are actually extraordinary gifts, reserved for Jesus’ closest friends.

I was moved and humbled recently by two examples of this kind of witness.

Dr. Cheryl Blue, principal at St. Columbkille Catholic School, provided the first when she trustingly placed her life into God’s hands by entering hospice care. Dr. Blue had desired to return to work after cancer treatments. But as Father Damian said, it seems our Lord had other plans.

Jim Krajicek, a former St. Columbkille parishioner, and his family also recently accepted a heavy cross. Jim had been undergoing rehabilitation at a Lincoln hospital after suffering a debilitating stroke in August. His family saw progress and setbacks in the following months. They had hoped and prayed for a quick recovery and to soon have him back at their Grand Island home. But again, it seems God had other plans. This week they moved him to a specialized care center in Ankeny, Iowa, a five- hour drive from home.

Before his stroke Jim was a fiercely independent man, according to his wife, Theresa, but he seemed at peace with his most recent move. The care center, called On With Life, accurately described the move for both Jim and their family, she said.

“I know he is where God wants him to be and I thank all of you who support this path for Jim from the bottom of my heart,” Theresa wrote in a recent Caring Bridge blog, which has kept friends and family up to date on Jim’s recovery. “The support the kids & I have received from so many people is really just God taking care of us -- you are all God's Instruments!”

Sometimes we become like Simon of Cyrene when we have heavy burdens forced on us. We certainly wouldn’t choose the cross. But the faithful learn to embrace the painful gift, perhaps reluctantly at first.

Both Dr. Blue and the Krajiceks have graciously shared their private struggles, their Way of the Cross, with the St. Columbkille community. Many have been following the Krajiceks’ Caring Bridge updates, while Father Damian has kept the school community current on Dr. Blue’s struggles through email letters.

Both may have preferred more privacy in their battles. But by sharing their crosses with us, we have been able to help them shoulder their crosses through our prayers and support.

Their even bigger gift to us is their witness of the cross.

Please continue to pray for them.

Inspired by this Year of Faith we will be posting columns like this from Susan Szalewski about exploring and/or deepening our faith. Watch for it on Thursdays.